George A Christel

By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order #9419, 4 February 1944 (Section II, Bulletin #3, War Department, 1944), and pursuant to authority contained in AR 600-45 (Decorations), 22 September 1943, as amended by Changes #1, 9 March 1944, a Bronze Star Medal was awarded by the Commanding General, 27th Infantry Division, to

Technical Sergeant GEORGE A. CHRISTEL (then Staff Sergeant)

A.S.N. 32058640, Company I, 165th Infantry, United States Army

“For meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy at Makin Atoll, Gilbert Islands, 20-23 November 1943.  Assigned as Platoon Sergeant, Technical Sergeant CHRISTEL was in the first wave of assault boats to land on Butaritari Island.  A few minutes after the initial landing, he came upon an enemy outpost consisting of six enemy soldiers.  He immediately took charge of the situation and directed fire which annihilated all of the enemy, personally killing one of the enemy, at a range of approximately one hundred yards, who was trying to escape to the main Japanese lines.”

General Orders #35, 21 May 1944, Headquarters 27th Infantry Division.

By command of Major General Ralph C. Smith:

Albert K. Stebbins, Jr.
Colonel, General Staff Corps, Chief of Staff

By direction of the President, in addition to a Bronze Star Medal awarded by the Commanding General, 27th Infantry Division to Technical Sergeant GEORGE ADAM CHRISTEL, as published in Section II, General Orders #35, this headquarters, dated 21 May 1944, a bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster was awarded posthumously to him by the Commanding General, 27th Infantry Division, under the provisions of Executive Order #9419, 4 February 1944 (Section II, Bulletin #3, War Department, 1944), and pursuant to authority contained in AR 600-45 (Decorations), 22 September 1943, as amended. The citation is as follows:

Technical Sergeant GEORGE ADAM CHRISTEL,

A.S.N. 32058640, Company I, 165th Infantry, United States Army

 “For heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the enemy at Okinawa Shima, Nansei Shoto, on 25 April 1945.  Sergeant CHRISTEL led a rifle platoon attacking a high, well-defended ridge held by Japanese hidden in caves.  Enemy machine gun, mortar, and sniper fire impeded the advance of his company.  Sergeant CHRISTEL maneuvered his platoon through the heavy concentration of enemy fire to within 200 yards of the foe, while the Japanese directed the majority of their fire against the platoon.  This enabled the remainder of the company to advance.  One Japanese machine gun in particular inflicted heavy casualties upon his platoon.  Abandoning the slight concealment he had, in view of the enemy, he moved through open terrain into the withering crossfire.  This he did voluntarily, knowing the hostile positions must be attacked and destroyed.  While trying desperately to discover a better route of approach, he was constantly exposed to small arms fire.  By his courageous action, Sergeant CHRISTEL furthered the advance of his platoon a total of 200 yards and was responsible for the continuation of his company’s advancement.”

General Orders #90, 23 November 1945, Headquarters, 27th Infantry Division.

By command of Major General George Griner:

O. E. Trechter,
Colonel, General Staff Corps, Chief of Staff

By direction of the President, in addition to a Bronze Star Medal awarded by the Commanding General, 27th Infantry Division to Technical Sergeant GEORGE ADAM CHRISTEL, as published in Section II, General Orders #35, Headquarters, 27th Infantry Division, dated 21 May 1944, a second bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster was awarded posthumously to him under the provisions of Army Regulation AR 600-8-22, Chapter 3, Section 13.  The citation is as follows:

 Technical Sergeant GEORGE A. CHRISTEL,

A.S.N. 32058640, Company I, 165th Infantry, United States Army

 “For exemplary conduct in ground combat against the armed enemy during World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations.”

 Given under my hand in the city of Washington on this 27th day of February 2007.

Note: 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star Medal awarded based on having been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge during World War II.